On, on

Whew! The last two weeks or so have been busy (and continue to be so). I haven't been able to write about my adventures because I've been tied up in secret activities that are matters of national security. Last week, I traveled to Jerusalem for a clandestine meeting with the Neturei Karta movement to discuss the likelyhood of cutting off U.S. funding of their objectives in the near future. Then I traveled to Pakistan to attend, as a double agent, the quarterly board meeting of the League of Shadows. The Leage has been trying to reign in rogue member, Osama bin Laden, despite his very annoying habit of yelling, "Death to the infidels!" every few minutes during board meetings.

Ha, ha! Just kidding. If the preceding were actually true, you would be reading The New York Times.

Actually, if the truth be told, and I suppose it must, I've been teaching Personal Finance class to the Bible School. This is my first stab at teaching so I've spent many evenings developing outlines, reviewing material, and preparing activities. And, from my angle, it has gone well. We've considered the Biblical concept of stewardship and the need to exercise faith even in the administration of material things that God has "given" us. And we've taken up some nuts and bolts, too, like the development of a financial plan, reading financial statements, and, tomorrow, the federal tax return. Oooh!

Just a few more days and then I can get back to my regular full-time duties (which have been faithfully accumulating all this while), begin my second full-time job of groundskeeping, and a whole bunch of other stuff.

As if this weren't enough, earlier this week, betook by a wave of juvenile irrationality, Mary and I decided to go on Class Trip with the Bible School. With our children. All five of them. The highlight of this trip was, of course, when, on the third day, James reached his Candy and Junk Food Limit and decided to test the Emergency Code Red Alert Sick Child Response Team of the Children's Museum Staff. They did well (having daily practice, they admitted (gross!)), and we left.

Then, today was the funeral for one Dorothy A, I presume, during which I saw a few cousins and extended family members that I hadn't seen for a number of decades. Keeping in touch isn't exactly our strong point.

Also today (almost done here), Mary and Joseph left for a homeschool convention that goes through Saturday. So, having sent Jeff and Rachel with my parents to their Spring home in Maine, I suggested to the remaining children (Jonathon and James) that we stay up late, eat popcorn and candy, and watch movies.

"But we would get sick," Jonathon protested, "and our brains would stop working."
James added, "And we would have spankings to go with it."

Oh, well. On, on.

... in the Spirit

Well, I can't provide much of an update on the women's retreat as Mary twisted my arm into letting her go this time...

But I can tell you how I've been reminded recently of the importance of being, as we say, "in the Spirit." And how I was reminded of this was kind of interesting. I was skimming over the news from Israel and an article in particular caught my attention. Some kabbalist elder was suggesting that a "decree of war" had been issued for Israel in the spiritual realm. Now was the time, he said, to prepare spiritually and pray for mercy.

It is not my intention to take a position on the veracity of his remarks, except to say that God used them, I believe, to challenge me to focus more on the truth that I am not merely a flesh-and-blood creature. This is difficult to do, of course, because our lives are consumed by 'flesh-and-blood' activities. There are children to dress. There are bills to pay. There is car maintenance to do. There is the phone to answer. It never ends. But, there is also a spiritual dimension that I can impact (and be impacted by) for better or worse and, I suppose, it behooves me to remain cognizant of this cosmic interaction.

Paul said that our ultimate contention is not with flesh-and-blood, but, in fact, with an enemy who operates primarily in the spiritual dimension. This is good to remember, especially as one of the church's primary functions is, also according to Paul, to make the truths of God known to those in the heavenly realm. And Jesus Himself pointed out, if I may paraphrase, that spiritual influence simply exudes from the heart of a 'believer.'

So, the seemingly innocuous things that I do, or don't do, can, vis-a-vis the spritual realm, have an impact on those around me. And by merely existing in a flesh-and-blood location in a state of belief, I can preach the gospel to my spiritual enemies. So, even if this 'decree of war' turns out to be just another rumor, now is as good a time as any to prepare spiritually and let those 'rivers of influence' flood the spirit realm with the knowledge of the glory of God.


And while I'm thinking of it, if any of you think of it between now and May 1st, please pray for me. I'll be teaching a Personal Finance class to the Bible School and, although I'm quite comfortable with the material, I've never really done this before...

According to my research...

Well, many thanks to the almost 40% of you who bravely cast a vote in last Friday's poll concerning the subject of breakfast vittles. We can now conclude, with confidence, that 50% of Americans prefer to have some of, but not limited to, the following breakfast foods: steak & eggs, biscuits & gravy, grits, eggs & bacon, and OJ.

Our poll does have a margin of error of plus or minus 25.3%. But that doesn't mean we're wrong.

And while we're on the subject of food, here is some further disposable income information for you: While at the estimable Longhorn's restaurant Saturday evening, and enjoying the smooth flavor of my non-alcoholic beverage, I found, struggling for its freedom, a live insect. I don't think this was intentional on the part of the wait staff, but, well...at least it wasn't a frog.

Time for Breakfast

I had the privilege of enjoying one of my favorit-est breakfasts two mornings this week. We had some left over lamb from dinner Monday night, so...

...saute one serving of diced leftover lamb chops with onion. Scramble several eggs with cheese, preferrably a mild cheddar or provolone. Season as desired. Serve eggs topped with lamb and onion. Sprinkle with more of the cheese and just a hint of mild salsa. Chew slowly to maximize eating pleasure.

So ...

What is your favorite breakfast?
	I'll take some steak and eggs, please.
	Pass the biscuits, gravy, grits, eggs, bacon, toast, and OJ.
	Keep it simple. Bagel and coffee to go.
	I want my tasty, crunchy-on-the-outside, chewy-on-the-inside, chocolate frosted sugar bombs.
	Who has time for breakfast?
	I had a bad experience with breakfast as a child. Let's not go there.
	How you say in America? Side o' fish, hunk o' cheese, and loaf o' bread.
	Pancakes. Waffles. Anything I can eat with syrup.
	Health-nut here. Bran muffin, 6-oz fat-free yogurt, and half a grapefruit for me.
	Cold pizza, man!
pollcode.com free polls

A few Random Thoughts

• I went through a new 'most-embarrasing-moment' moment last weekend. I flew down to Baltimore Saturday evening for a "business meeting" I was having in Drumore, PA the next day. On my way to get the rental car, I had that all-too-familiar sinking feeling in my stomach as I realized I could not remember with whom I had reserved a car. And I didn't have a printed confirmation, either. Oh, dear. So, what am I going to do? I went up to the first counter and asked timidly, "I don't suppose you have a reservation for [me]?" Nope. Fortunately, the second counter did have a reservation for me and I was able to procure my vehicle and speed off in a hasty manner all the while paying careful allegience to the posted speed limits and all pertinent transportation regulations.

• That was a weekend for forgetting. I forgot my rental car reservation. I forgot a few important items of clothing. I forgot my laptop power adapter. And on the way, I realized I had no idea what the proper modus operundi was for the "business meeting" the next day. How do you spell 'too-busy'?

• I was in court the other day and I heard a case introduced. Some guy was down visiting his relative and went over to see something on his relative's neighbor's lawn. He slipped on the ice and injured himself. Now, he's suing said neighbor for "damages". Give me a break. Time for a 'loser-pays' system.

• Also in court. Jury selection. Some guy was begging the judge to allow him to be excused from jury "service" because "I just can't pay attention that long. I've been bored to tears just sitting here today." Hey pal, we've only been in the courtroom about 30 minutes. Give me another break.

• So Iranian president Ahmadwantsajihad decided today to release the 15 British sailors they kidnapped almost two weeks ago. He said it was "a gift to the British people." Ha, ha! It is nice when your deranged dictator has a good sense of humor. But wouldn't you want to know what was happening behind the scenes to make him change course so quickly and unexpectedly? I bet Tony Blair called him up and gave him just two words: "Jack Bauer".